Astelia plant named ‘AstJel01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Astelia chathamica  cultivar named ‘AstJe101’ is disclosed, characterized by having distinctive dark bronze coloration of foliage, rapid early growth rate, slowing to a moderate, controlled growth rate. The new variety is an  Astelia chathamica , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Astelia chathamica.

Variety denomination: ‘AstJe101’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a result of a planned breedingprogram, conducted by the inventor, Geoff Jewell. Astelia chathamicaplants were self-crossed, seeds collected and planted out during 1997through 1999. The new variety was discovered, by the inventor in aplanting of the resulting seedlings, in early 2001, at a commercialnursery in Te Horo, New Zealand.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘AstJe101’ by division wasfirst performed at a commercial nursery in late 2001, in Te Horo, NewZealand in and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar arestable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘AstJe101’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The followingtraits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of ‘AstJe101’ These characteristics in combinationdistinguish ‘AstJe101’ as a new and distinct Astelia cultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive dark bronze coloration of foliage, darkness        enhanced by cool temperatures.    -   2. Rapid early growth rate, growing quickly to fill a commercial        2.5 liter pot, then slowing to a moderate, controlled growth        rate.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘AstJe101’ are similar to plants of theparent variety, Astelia chathamica in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘AstJe101’ havedarker foliage, with bronze coloration, compared to the species greenfoliage. Additionally, ‘AstJe101’ produces an overall shorter plant thanthe parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘AstJe101’ are similar to plants of theunpatented variety, Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Spear’ in mosthorticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar‘AstJe101’ have darker foliage, with bronze coloration, compared to thegrey-green foliage of Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Spear.’ Additionally,‘AstJe101’ produces an overall shorter plant than Astelia chathamica‘Silver Spear’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘AstJe101’ grown outdoors at a commercial nursery in TeHoro, New Zealand during late Winter and early Spring, in a 2.5 liternursery pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 6 monthsfrom a vegetative division.

FIG. 1 shows a close up of the foliage, and

FIG. 2 shows a field of ‘AstJe101’ grown in 2.5 liter nurserycontainers.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘AstJe101’ plants grown outdoors in Te Horo,New Zealand The growing temperature ranged from 15° C. to 35° C. duringthe day and approximately 10° C. to 25° C. at night. The plants were notgrown with any kind of shade protection and subject to outdoor, highlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averagesof typical plant types. No growth retardants were used.

-   Botanical classification: Astelia chathamica cultivar ‘AstJe101’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 5–10 days at approximately 23° C. from    unrooted divisions.-   Root description: robust white roots.-   Propagation method: Vegetative divisions or tissue culture.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Stiff, outwardly arching.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months.-   Container size: 2.5 liter pot.-   Height: Approximately 35 cm to top of highest leaf.-   Plant spread: Approximately 25–35 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid early growth rate; from a 5 cm rooted young plant    to a 25 cm plant in a 2.5 liter pot takes 3–4 months in peak growing    conditions. After reaching approximately 25 cm, growth slows to a    moderate rate.-   Branching characteristics: Non-branching, forms basal clumps.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Non-whorled, basal clumps.        -   Average length.—Approx. 50 cm.        -   Average width.—Approx. 30–50 mm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Narrowly acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Tough leathery with noticeable ribs            either side of the midrib.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Tough leathery.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Depends on age of plant, a            year 2 year old plant would typically have approximately 50            leaves.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Brown 200B.            Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148D. Mature            foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A. Mature            foliage under side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 191D.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Greyed-Orange 176A. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Greyed-Green 191D.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Astelia chathamica typically flowers late    spring. Astelia ‘AstJe101’ has not yet been observed flowering.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    pathogens and pests common to Astelia have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    −10° C. to 40° C.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Astelia chathamica plant named‘AstJe101’ as herein illustrated and described.